The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Tuesday evening, clarified that the Commission will either make refund to intending pilgrims for year 2024 Hajj Pilgrimage, or ask them to balance based on prevailing parallel market foreign exchange rates at the time of remittance of the collected Hajj fares to relevant bodies.
This clarification was made in a press statement signed by the Commission’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara; she said “Following the recent press release by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) regarding the 2024 Hajj fare, further clarification is provided to ensure transparency and ease for intending pilgrims.
“The cost of Hajj for the year 2024 in Dollars is set at $5,692.25. It is essential to note that on the day the initial press statement was issued, the exchange rate for the Nigerian Naira to the US Dollar stood at N1,474.62.
“However, due to the fluctuating nature of exchange rates, intending pilgrims are advised to pay the Hajj fare according to the prevailing dollar exchange rate on the day of payment. This flexibility is crucial to accommodate any changes in the exchange rate.
“In the event of a change in the Dollar’s value at the time of final remittance into the Commission’s IBAN account, pilgrims will either receive a refund or the balance will be reconciled accordingly at the appropriate time.
“NAHCON remains committed to ensuring a smooth and transparent process for all intending pilgrims and urges them to stay informed about any updates regarding the Hajj fare payment.”
The press statement further implored intending pilgrims to “Please refer to NAHCON’s official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.”
